Parole board denies early release for convicted teen killer

NATICK, Mass. (AP) — The Massachusetts Parole Board has denied early release for Rod Matthews, who was convicted of fatally beating a classmate with a baseball bat as a teen in the 1980s.

The board's ruling Tuesday was the third time that Matthews, now 44, has been denied parole. The former Canton resident tried to convince parole officials in March that he was no longer the angry 14-year-old who murdered Shaun Ouillette in November 1986.

Matthews at the time said that he bludgeoned Ouillette because he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. He later brought friends to see the body on two separate occasions.

The board determined that Matthews has not shown a level of rehabilitative progress needed for his release. He can reapply for parole in five years.